On social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, there has been a trend of stories or posts advocating against Immigration and Customs Enforcement(ICE). It’s becoming increasingly more of a worry for immigrants and people of color, especially in big cities like Chicago, San Jose, Minneapolis, and even Portland. As ICE is being reestablished and enforced, they can now show up at your door.
According to the University of Pennsylvania, only one in 20 adults living in the U.S. can name all the freedoms protected by the First Amendment.
American government teacher Erik Ihde speaks on the topic by adding his thoughts— along with the government knowledge he has.
“A right that would fit into the larger narrative of what’s going on in the country right now is the 1st amendment right, to peaceably assemble,” Idhe said.
All across Oregon, large groups of people have been protesting against ICE, including high school students. In accordance to Oregon Public Broadcasting, students from North Eugene, West Salem, David Douglas, etc., have been organizing peaceful protests to advocate for their people.
“The First Amendment is to bring grievances to the government,” Ihde said. “You have the right to complain is the simple way to say that.”
These groups of students have been following the First Amendment exactly, speaking up for what they believe in.
Including the First Amendment, we can also exercise the Fourth Amendment.
“You would have the Fourth Amendment right, and it would be a right to not be searched or seized without probable cause,” Idhe said.
A class action lawsuit filed in 2022, Castañon v. Department of Homeland Security, represented a group of individuals living in Chicago who were detained, with the only ground for suspicion being that they were of Mexican ancestry. The lawsuit ruled the ICE officers violated the Fourth Amendment by doing this, and also by deceiving the group— saying they were police officers before arresting them. This led to a nationwide policy that strictly reinforced the Fourth Amendment. It was in effect until Feb. 2, 2026.
“Well, the really cool thing about the rights given in the first 10 amendments in the Constitution is that no one can step on those rights. Not congress, not the president, not anyone,” Ihde said. “They are unalienable rights. They are rights that no one can take away from you.”
